For some context, I’m really into the early 2000’s MySpace-era of post-hardcore, metal-core, and emo. The style of music from that time was way more passionate and raw than it is today, which is exactly why I love it. Here’s a look at 5 albums I’ve had on repeat recently!
5. Oh Romeo! – This is Why We’re Here (ep, 2009)
When I first discovered this EP, I could tell it was going to be good just from the cover art alone. On the surface, it’s honestly pretty basic compared to a lot of the pop-punk & emo–influenced post-hardcore that was coming out at the time, but it’s executed very well and has its own unique edge. The more I listened, the more it grew on me. The fourth track, Two Words… Got It?, is my favorite—it’s basically two songs in one, with the ending revealing a hidden acoustic track.
4. The Messenger – Let’s Get Dangerous! (2008)
Like Oh Romeo!, the cover art instantly caught my attention when I first came across this album, and it carries pop-punk/emo influence as well. The opening track, This Eagle Has Landed, is my favorite. For the most part, the album follows the usual early 2000’s post-hardcore/emo blueprint, but unlike a lot of traditional post-hardcore at the time, it doesn’t rely too heavily on vocal distortion, and the instrumentals come through super clear. It’s a refreshing change of pace, especially since I usually gravitate toward the more aggressive side of post-hardcore.
3. Brazil – A Hostage and The Meaning Of Life (2004)
I just started listening to this album again this month and completely forgot how good it was. Even though they’re labeled as post-hardcore on most sites, Brazil heavily incorporates elements of progressive rock and experimental noise. It’s genuinely one of the most unique albums I’ve heard in this scene—the vocalist has a clear, theatrical-like delivery, backed by unconventional instrumentals. None of the individual elements should work together, but somehow, they do, and it just clicks. I honestly don’t even know how to explain it, but I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something different.
2. April’s Love Affair – The Manner in Which I Scream Goodbye (ep, 2005)
I’d describe this EP as a scrappy, high-energy blend of post-hardcore and screamo. Fast instrumentals paired with a mix of screamo and whiny vocals are what make it so good. You can especially hear this in the first track—which also happens to be my favorite from the album—Beautiful Things Are Better Left Dead. As the EP goes on, the intensity dials back a bit, but that’s not a bad thing. Since it’s only four songs, it doesn’t get boring, and while the energy of the first track is hard to replicate, it’s still very much there during the last three.
1. Versus The Mirror – Home (2006)
Since I found this album a few weeks ago, I’ve listened to it an embarrassing number of times. It mixes all my favorite parts of the early 2000’s style of post-hardcore and screamo, but it still comes out sounding completely unique when it’s all thrown together. Most of the songs barely slow down—they’re all gas, no brakes—except for a couple of experimental noise tracks. A lot of the songs sound very similar, but each has just enough tweaks to make it unique, and I love that because it makes the album feel like one massive forty-minute song.
link to my Instagram, where I post pictures I take at local shows. In the future, I’ll also be promoting a music zine I’m currently working on there for anyone who might be interested: https://www.instagram.com/66bhz